Chapter 234 - 166: Selection 2
So he lowered his voice and said to Fang Yue, "Sir, my apologies. I'll take my men and leave right now."
Inspectors from the Observatory are not under the jurisdiction of the Government Office, but their special role grants them a higher status than ordinary officials of the same rank.
Lin Dong was about to order his men away, but he thought for a moment and added in a whisper, "I came here on my Shangguan's orders. It might have something to do with the Xue Family in the city. That's all I know."
"Very well." Not wanting any trouble, Fang Yue nodded and put away his Token.
When Lin Dong saw Fang Yue agree, he turned to the group of government constables behind him and said, "Withdraw, withdraw! It was all a misunderstanding. Let's get moving."
After that, Lin Dong led the government constables away from the tea shop.
After they had walked several blocks, a subordinate finally couldn't hold back any longer. "Sir, why did you let them go? We clearly could have arrested them!"
"Don't ask questions you shouldn't. It's better not to know too much about some things. All you need to know is that right now, even the Xue Family can't afford to offend that man," Lin Dong said, glaring at his subordinate.
The man was so frightened he immediately fell silent, not daring to say another word.
Lin Dong glanced at the sky. It was about time to get going.
He then led his men and hurried toward the south side of the city to continue their mission.
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"Alright, we're fine now. Let's leave."
Just fifteen minutes after the Official left, Fang Yue and his group had finished packing their belongings and loading them onto the carriages.
Then, Father Fang, Ms. Chen, and Little Tie Dan rode in the first carriage. Fang Lan, Fang Cheng's wife, Bai Li, and the mother-daughter pair they had rescued on the road took the larger carriage in the middle.
Meanwhile, Fang Yue and his older brother Fang Cheng rode on horseback, accompanied by a few servants and guards.
"Father, Mother, hold on tight."
After speaking, Fang Yue spurred his horse onward, heading for the eastern gate of Shanyang Prefecture City.
Thanks to the Observatory Token, Fang Yue and his party left the city with ease.
They traveled east, and a little over ten days later, they arrived in Sanshui County.
Perhaps because this place hadn't been attacked by the Rebel Army, the streets and alleys were surprisingly calm, showing no signs of being affected by the turmoil of war.
Moreover, because the number of various dignitaries and wealthy people wanting to leave Shanyang Prefecture had increased, this place had actually become a bit more prosperous than before.
The party quickly found a house for rent. After paying several times the usual rate in silver coins, they settled in, planning to stay for one night until the guards from the Observatory arrived so they could all leave together.
Early the next morning, while the streets were still relatively empty, Fang Yue made his way to the County Magistrate's Office on the east side of town. As arranged by Hui Hengli, he was to meet some Martial Artists there and select three to accompany him.
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「Sanshui County, the rear courtyard of the County Magistrate's Office.」
"Heh heh, gentlemen, the Inspector is arriving today. Allow me to offer my early congratulations to Xue, Meng, and Chen. The three of you are sure to be selected." Sanshui County's County Magistrate, Lin Qingyuan, stood and raised his cup in a toast to the three men.
"Thank you, County Magistrate Lin, you're too kind. Though Nian and the others aren't here, it's not as if they have no chance. Nothing's decided until the very end, so it's hard to say."
Xue Bing also stood up, raised his wine cup, and drained it in one gulp.
However, despite his modest words, his tone was exceedingly arrogant, and he spoke of the others with great contempt.
This time, he had used his family's connections to finally secure a post from the Observatory: escorting an Inspector to Yujing City.
Of course, with manpower being tight right now, the Observatory could only arrange for three guards.
A total of six people from the Prefecture City had used their connections to get this opportunity with the Observatory. The three of them, currently drinking with County Magistrate Lin, were the ones with the best family backgrounds of the six.
Naturally, they believed that their chances were much greater than the other three.
And with County Magistrate Lin putting in a few good words for them, they were certain to catch the Inspector's eye this time.
Xue Bing then continued, "Although we are confident, we will still need County Magistrate Lin to put in a good word for us. Once this is done, there will be a generous reward."
"Of course, of course! Come, drink, eat!" Lin Qingyuan nodded repeatedly.
And so, they resumed their lively drinking and feasting.
「Meanwhile, in a humble room on the other side of the County Magistrate's Office.」
Three plainly dressed military officers were also eating and drinking.
However, on the table in front of them, let alone meat, there wasn't even a decent dish. Each person had a bowl of cabbage and radish, and two somewhat dark steamed buns.
There was no wine at all, only a pot of boiled water.
"What's the point of us being here? To be foils for those noble brats?" Fang Lin grumbled.
He then picked up his chopsticks, popped a piece of radish into his mouth, and began to chew.
His father had gone to great lengths, using his military achievements to trade for this chance to leave Shanyang Prefecture, but it was only upon arriving that he learned the truth: only three people would be chosen from the six candidates.
Furthermore, three of the candidates were Noble Family Descendants with better family connections and superior martial skills.
With things like this, what chance did three junior officers like them have?
The only reason they hadn't left was that they were still waiting for the Inspector from the Observatory.
If they left early, it would be a violation of military orders, and they would be punished.
"Sigh... Fang, just eat. At least you'll have some strength when you head back," another officer advised.
"Yeah, we're just here to make the young masters look good. Hmph! If this was a real contest of skill, I'd accept losing fair and square. But to have them push us out just because of their status... I can't stomach it!" Fang Lin grumbled.
"Alright, that's enough. Just eat."
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"What's your business?"
Meanwhile, Fang Yue had already arrived at the Sanshui County Magistrate's Office.
Before he could even enter, he was stopped by the government constables at the gate.
Fang Yue explained his purpose, and a government constable immediately went inside to announce him.
"Ah, speak of the devil. Gentlemen, quickly, come with me to welcome the Inspector." When Lin Qingyuan heard his subordinate's report, he put down his wine cup and immediately spoke to Xue Bing and the others.
"Much obliged, County Magistrate Lin."
Xue Bing nodded and immediately followed Lin Qingyuan towards the front courtyard of the County Magistrate's Office. Along the way, they ran into Fang Lin and the other two.
"Heh, hello you three. After this is all over, I'll give each of you ten taels of silver to cover your travel expenses home. It wouldn't be right to have you come all this way for nothing."
When Xue Bing saw Fang Lin and the others, a mocking smile appeared on his face.
Ten taels of silver each... this was treating Fang Lin and the others like beggars to be shooed away.
"Hmph! Who cares about your silver? Do you take us for beggars?" Fang Lin retorted furiously.
The three of them might just be ordinary junior officers, but it's not like they'd never seen silver. This was a blatant insult.
"Sigh, why be so angry? Even though you're destined to not be chosen, the chance to even be here today is a rare one," Xue Bing said with a shake of his head.
"Hmph, the final result hasn't been announced yet. Don't celebrate too early!" Fang Lin snorted coldly.
"Oh? Is that so? Then we'll just have to see," Xue Bing said with a faint, noncommittal smile.
The group soon arrived at the front hall of the County Magistrate's Office and saw a figure with his back to them.
"This must be the Inspector from the Observatory! My sincerest apologies for not giving you a proper welcome!"
As soon as they walked into the front hall, they saw Lin Qingyuan stand up and bow with clasped hands toward the Inspector.
At this moment, both Xue Bing and Fang Lin felt a sense of familiarity upon seeing this figure.
It seemed they had seen this person somewhere before.
With this feeling, one of them felt that his success was even more certain, while the other thought that perhaps there really was a chance for him after all.
"It's no matter. I just arrived. We still have time, so let's have them compete in pairs. I'll watch them and then make my decision."
Fang Yue turned around, also bowed with clasped hands, and spoke.